Symphonic Star Trek

Some reviewers have complained that this CD does not exactly follow the original soundtracks. Well, it's not a soundtrack, it's a symphony performance. If you want a soundtrack, then buy a soundtrack. But, like any "performance of" movie music, This CD is not going to sound exactly like the original. In some places, it sounds even better, especially for the TOS selections, because at the time the TOS music was produced, the recording techniques were not as sophisticated as today. As for the sound effects, they are not intended to be authentic Trek sounds. They're creative uses of orchestral instruments. (I still find myself wondering how they did some of them...) In short, I like this CD for what it is -- a pop performance of some of my favorite music. My only complaint it that it ends with "You will be assimilated." Into what? Trekdom? I would have preferred it to end with Leonard Nimoy saying, "Live long and prosper" -- as the perfect closing "bookend" to his fine...Read more

This is a great CD, even if it is outdated (no theme from First Contact, Insurrection or Nemesis.) But this CD is great. The sound effects are annoying, that much we can all agree on, but for those bashing the concert arrangement of the Original Series theme...this is the arrangement by Alexander Courage himself arranged for concert, its performed the same way by John Williams and the Boston Pops on the CD "Out of This World" among other Williams/BPO compilations. I would rank this CD below Silva's "The Star Trek Album" and Varese's "The Ultimate Star Trek", but above Naxos "Star Trek" album. Though, a Star Trek fan should have all of them! and even if your not a star trek fan, this is a good sampler at a cheap price. People selling this for under $5 with shipping! Thats a bargain. Standouts for me are Star Trek II and Generations. The Generations Overture (End Credits) sounds so much better with a larger symphony like the Cincinatti Pops than the orchestra Dennis McCarthy...Read more

I am really enjoying this CD. Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops give an outstanding performance. The sound quality is the best I have ever heard. The CD contains some sound effects which I found mildly distracting but other listeners thought they were great. Anyway, the sound effects are mostly on separate tracks so you can program them out with your CD player if you really don't want to hear them.

If you like classical music and fanfares, then you should listen to this CD. If you are a Star Trek fan, then you MUST have this CD. If you are a classical music lover and a Star Trek fan... Well, you get the idea! This CD definitely rates 5 stars.